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The stockholder meeting this year had virtually no meaning other than what was going to happen with Brett Favre. Brett changed his mind about retirement and the Packers had decided to move on without him. The fans, of course, were split one way or another so it really didn't matter how the situation would eventually end; one group of fans was going to be very unhappy.

Thursday morning was a pleasant day, not too humid with high clouds to the west that kept threatening to make the day cloudy but would manage to not quite make it.

I arrived at Lambeau Field with my Mom almost an hour early and we set out into the bowl to get some good seats. During the time previous to the start of the meeting they played the 2007 season highlights video. It ended with Brett moving on into history except now Brett was trying to rewrite the ending of that story.

When the meeting started CEO Mark Murphy addressed the Brett situation by stating that he, Ted Thompson, Coach McCarthy, and the Board of Directors, were all in unison on the decisions being made by the Packers organization. In other words, it was a unified front at the top, and this was being made plain and clear.

This was a business meeting where each department would give a report but I'm not going to go into all those details other than mentioning some of the highlights.

When Ted Thompson was introduced he was given a standing ovation by an overwhelming majority of the crowd. I would say a good 80% of the crowd showed their support for the GM.

Some of the things in the meeting that I found to be interesting:

(1) Plans are in the works to expand the atrium. No details were given but it is a project meant to bring in more revenue.

(2) The Packers want more parking and are looking into building a second deck for the players and coaches. (A few days later the newspaper had an article about possible plans to build more parking underground).

(3) Tundra Tailgating Village: This is a complex being built on the east side of Lambeau. Bands and various other kinds of entertainment will be available during Training Camp and on game weekends. The complex takes up a huge footprint in the parking lot and when it was mentioned that this was permanent there was a low level grumbling to be heard in the crowd. I suspect this was from those who are fortunate to be able to go to games and experience the crowd and atmosphere. The complex is an eyesore and it takes away a lot of parking for those who could be tailgating in the parking lot. Tailgating at Lambeau Field is a way of life and the Packers are messing with the formula that has made them a success. Just my opinion but the grumbling I heard suggests I may not be alone in that way of thinking.

After the meeting Mark Murphy was out in the atrium signing autographs and answering questions. He wasn't there very long as they had a drawing for stockholders where the lucky ones got to eat lunch with Mark. Perhaps a nice idea but it limited his access to the stockholders. Bob Harlan would have stayed out until all autographs were signed and questions were answered.

During this time a guy started chanting BRING BACK BRETT! but he received very little support from the crowd. It it had not been for the TV cameras he would have quit rather quickly. Otherwise, he and a couple others were busy circulating a petition to bring back Brett.

There was a crowd waiting by the elevators for Ted Thompson but it turned out to be a long wait. At some point the decision was made that his appearance would be limited to the fourth floor of the atrium instead of the main area. Anyone could go see him but a lot of people didn't get the word. Most of the stockholders merely wanted Ted's autograph and many voiced support for his decisions. The one thing that was stupid about the scene was all the TV cameras and media gathered around. They were limiting access to Ted and they were pretty much jerks about being there. Whenever someone started talking to Ted all the microphones from the media would lunge in to pick up whatever the person had to say.

When it was time to go, I showed Mom a house on the north side of Lambeau Field. It's owned by a millionaire who lives in Atlanta; he flies up every weekend, stays in the house to party, and then goes to the game in his luxury box. A few houses down is another one being built; the old one was razed and the new one is two or three times the size as the regular houses around in that neighborhood.

It just seems everything is changing. The charm that is the Green Bay packers, it seems everyone wants a piece of it. The rich man is coming in and changing that charm. The Packers are expanding revenue opportunities around Lambeau in order to skim some of the money that floats around on game day. Ted Thompson, Mike McCarthy, and Mark Murphy are new faces in the organization.

Brett Favre is gone.

Change is inevitable and a fact of life but is anyone really thinking about what we are changing into? Even Brett Favre, regardless of where you stand on the issue, does not seem to understand his legacy. He has taken a path that only addresses the now, the present, and not the future. Is anyone thinking about the future of the Green Bay Packers? What are we willing to sacrifice in the future in order to have instant gratification for the present?

Time will tell.